Neighbors Briefs

The Alaska Health Fair is coming to Juneau April 19 to 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Centennial Hall. At no cost, participants receive free health screenings for blood pressure, vision, hearing and weight. Several health-related organizations and businesses will be on hand to motivate participants to better their health practices or confirm they are already doing a good job.

For $35, participants can get their blood analyzed to learn their cholesterol, blood sugar and iron levels and more. This test requires a 12-hour fast from food. Consumption of water is encouraged. Prescription medication should be taken and diabetics should not fast.

In addition, a $25 Prostate Specific Antigen blood test screens for prostate disease. This test is available for men age 50 and older or those with a family history of prostate disease.

Thyroid blood test screening is available for $30. This test is recommended to people who have been instructed by their health care practitioner to do so, women over the age of 45 (or younger as a baseline test), people with a family history of thyroid problems, people who are monitoring a diagnosed thyroid problem and people with symptoms of fatigue, unexplained weight changes or a swollen thyroid.

To add to the fair's festivities, representatives from more than 30 health organizations and businesses will be present.

For more information, call Valerie O'Hare at 790-4072.

Multiple sclerosis group presents program

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Internet educational program, MS Learn Online, will present "Moving Forward ... A Program for People Newly Diagnosed With MS" at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18.

The live interactive program will feature experts in the management of MS. Participants can also e-mail questions to the presenters for discussion. To view the program live or archived, log on to nationalmssociety.org and select "Educational Programs."

For more information about this or the other programs of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, call (800) FIGHT MS or visit nationalmssociety.org.

Fireman's Ball to be held in Tenakee Springs

The Tenakee Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual Fireman's Ball at 5 p.m. on April 20 at the Community Center in Tenakee.

There will be dinner, music, doorprizes, dancing, an EMS raffle, a penny drive for the Alamos Fire Department, Tenakee Fire Department hats and shirts for sale and more.

Tickets cost $5 for children 14 and younger, and $10 for everyone else. Ticket stubs can be retained for a chance to win prizes.

Be sure to make ferry and cabin reservations in advance.

The Tenakee Volunteer Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services and Search and Rescue maintain training through donations and support from the community.

Pesticide classes to be held next week

This year's Pesticide Applicators classes and tests will be held in Juneau on April 22 and 23. The classes will start at 8:30 a.m. each morning at the Cooperative Extension Service office at 3032 Vintage Blvd., Suite 104.

On April 22, all those who want initial certification or re-certification in any category must take the class from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To complete their certification category 13, wood preservatives, participants must take an additional class from 6 to 9 p.m. the evening of April 22. Category 4, turf and ornamental, candidates must take their additional class at 1 p.m. on April 23.

Due to increased costs, fees have increased in some categories. Categories 4 and 7 are $30, and all other categories are $15.